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E-mail letters, May 7, 2010

Recently there was a story about students being removed from school for wearing shirts with the American flag.

Well, near as I can remember this is still America. If people are born in the United States that makes them Americans, no matter what country their ancestors came from. If the American flag in the United States upsets some people, then I suggest they renounce their citizenship to the United States, pack up all their belongings and move back to the country of their ancestors.

But please let them know that once they renounce their citizenship they only have human rights, because Americans years ago adopted the Bill of Rights for all Americans, And no this shouldn’t apply if you’re in this country illegally.

My grandparents came to this country when they were young. They flew the American flag proudly. My parents lived in this country and my father fought in World War II, and they flew the American flag proudly. I have had two sons in the armed services, fighting for the freedoms that we enjoy today. And I will fly the American flag with pride until I die!

And if anyone tells me it upsets them, then may God have mercy on their soul.
Curt Claussen
Grand Junction

Police made sendoff great
for local Special Olympian

On behalf of the Shelledy Elementary School staff and the Lester family, many thanks go out to the Fruita and Grand Junction Police Departments, which provided the wonderful police escort for Niki Lester and several of her classmates from Fruita to the Special Olympics event at Stoker’s Stadium recently.

Their participation made Niki and all the other Special Olympians feel very “special” indeed. The officers arrival added much excitement to the festivities that surrounded Niki, her “Nascar” and the Special Olympics sendoff, which was attended by the entire student body lining the sidewalks in front of the school.

It is gratifying that our police would take the time to make these efforts for our community. Thanks again to both police departments!
Mariann Taigman
Grand Junction

Politics of moderation
don’t satisfy this voter

As a delegate to the upcoming Colorado State Convention seeking information, I attended a meeting May 6 put on by the Western Slope Conservative Alliance. The two guest speakers were Republican gubernatorial candidates Dan Maes and Scott McInnis.

Throughout the question-and-answer period, I wished I could make a statement to them, as well as all candidates seeking public office; sentiments I know are shared by a great many people: Personally, I’m not interested in the politics of moderation or capitulation. I’m looking for leaders, strong enough to make the hard choices today, right now, which will lead us out of the socio-economic maelstrom we are currently experiencing.

In the words of Thomas Paine, “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.”

I seek leaders with the intestinal fortitude to make decisions the silent majority support, yet the vocal minority may oppose, having also the spine to stand straight in the face of the adversity of backlash.

I am a veteran, having proudly served this country in the U.S. Marine Corps. I took an oath, and signed a check payable to our nation with my own life if necessary. Thankfully, I never had to cash that check.

If the candidates wishing to represent me make it to the office of public service they desire, their actions, rather than words, will show the same willingness to dedicate
their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to uphold the rule of law set forth by the Constitution of the United States and the state of Colorado. Anything less will prove them unfit to uphold their duty, and unworthy of my support.
Brad Stieg
Fruita, Colorado

Grand Junction displayed
great respect for veterans

What an honor it was to accompany the World War II veterans on their flight to see their memorial in Washington D.C. These men and women sacrificed so much to keep our country free. The stories we heard were priceless.

It is with great appreciation that we thank the Western Slope Honor Flight committee for all their hard work in putting this together. It was a massive undertaking.

The greeting the veterans received at the landing in Grand Junction just blew us away. From the water cannon salute, welcome by the police and military standing at attention, saluting, then their help with the stairs from the plane, the band playing, it was all so wonderful.

Then we went into the terminal with flags lining the way in, people clapping and saluting and, once out of the restricted area, there were all the people who came to show their appreciation with the band playing in the back.

Thank you Grand Junction. These men and women deserved it all and we know they were appreciative.
Rose and Kent Nordenberg
Grand Junction